P    S 

3523 

A77 

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1912 

MAIN 


*B    251 


GIFT  OF 


OCIM 


1 1 

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POEMS 


MAY  C.  LASSEN 


WM.    M.   ALLEN.    PRINTER. 

RED    BLUFF.    CAL. 


s=-n 

I 


COPYRIGHT.  1912 

BY 
MAY  C.  LASSEN 


a  » 

5/: 


P33523 


TO  MY  HUSBAND 
THIS  BOOK  IS  DEDICATED 


2801GO 


INFLUENCE  OF  POETRY  ON  LIFE 

SOME  years  ago,  when  wiseacres  were  trying  to 
find  the  cause  for  the  growing  dissatisfaction 
which  resulted  in  divorce,  one  of  them  said  it  lay  in 
the  fact  that  men  and  women  needed  to  read  more 
poetry.  At  first  this  seems  an  absurd  thing  to  say, 
but  look  into  it  a  little.  .Poetry  is  ideality.  Imagin 
ation  gives  expression,  and.  the  development  of  these 
qualities  brings  the  power  to  put  one's  self  into  an 
other's  place,  to  understand  that  other's  view  point. 
It  is  easy  to  be  patient,  to  forgive  when  one  has 
insigat  into  the  offender's  heart,  and  can  see  as  he 
sees.  Imagination  is  a  useful  characteristic  for  family 
comfort.  Poetry  cultivates  the  sweeter  side  of  one's 
nature,  and  the  more  practical  a  person  may  be  in 
character,  or  by  reason  of  daily  work,  a  few  moments 
with  a  great  poet  are  like  a  breath  of  fresh  air  after 
sitting  in  a  crowded  hall.  The  rhythmic  arrange 
ment  of  words,  born  from  a  heart  of  feelings,  influ 
ences  as  only  music  does.  One  little  verse  carried 
in  the  mind  through  the  day,  will  charm  impatience 
away.  It  uplifts  one  to  where  petty  things  lose  their 
power  to  annoy.  Our  grandmothers  found  this  same 
effect  from  one  or  two  of  the  psalms,  the  grandest 
poems  ever  written. 


CONTENTS 

1  If  Thou  Could' st  Know 

2  (My  Love 
(A  Kiss 

3  The  Dove  Song 

4  Advice 

5  Memories 

6  The  Parting 

7  A  Plea  to  Cupid 

8  Longing 

9  Resignation 
10-11  Love  Revealed 
12-13  Sweet  Eventide 
14-15  Release 
16-17  The  Egotist 

18  A  Gem 

19  Pansies 
20-21  A  Poem 

22  Buried  Love 

23  To  a  Flower 

24  Despair 

25  A  Prayer 
26-27  Despondency 

28  Warning 

29  Dreaming 

30  Inconstant  Man 

31  (A  Thought 
(A  Request 


IF  THOU  COULD'ST  KNOW 


If  thou  could'st  know 
The  love  I  bear  to  thee, 
Is  boundless  and  as  free 
As  great  Eternity, 

Thou  would'  st  love  me. 


If  thou  could'st  know 
The  thoughts  I  bear  of  thee, 
That  cherished  memory, 
So  full  of  sympathy, 

Thou  would'  st  love  me, 


If  thou  could'st  know 
The  love  that  is  so  slain, 
That  all  enduring  pain 
I  bear  for  thee  in  vain, 

Thou  would'st  love  me. 


MY  LOVE 

TO  MISS  CHRISTINE  STEVENS 

A     love  I  harbor,  shelter  true, 

A  love  I  love,  my  love,  'tis  you; 
And  so  the  World  I  can  not  miss, 
Since  all  the  World  is  in  your  kiss. 


i 


A  KISS 

F  ever  you  could  love  as  I, 

With  passion  deep 
And  passion  tender, 

Your  soul  to  me  you  would  surrender, 
With  ecstacy  and  untold  bliss 

In  one  long,  lingering,  fervent  kiss. 


THE  DOVE  SONG 

TO  VICTOR  HARRIS.  New  York  City 
(In  Song  and  Verse) 

OTILL  is  the  night,  while  nature  sleeps, 
^   And  all  at  peace,  the  twinkling  stars 
Are  shining  bright,  guiding  the  night-bird 
On  its  lonely  flight,  to  forests  wild. 

The  faintest  Siirring  of  a  breeze 
Steals  silently  among  the  trees. 

Rustling  leaves  awake  the  dove, 
\Vhose  mournful  cry  is  for  its  love. 

Then  through  the  quiet  night  is  heard 
The  plaintive  voice,  the  echoing  word. 


Coo,  Coo,  my  love  so  true, 

My  love  so  gentle,  I  would  \voo. 

Coo,  Coo,  I  am  thy  mate 
Tho'  e'er  anon  1  do  await, 

Coo,  Coo,  my  love  for  you, 


ADVICE 

TO  CHARMING  YOUTH 


A  LTHO'  your  weary  soul  is  aching, 
•**  Your  thoughts  are  e'er  so  sad, 
E'en  tho'  your  heart  is  torn  and  breaking 
To  the  World  be  always  glad. 


Trust  not  your  friends,  tho*  these  are  many 

You  think  are  thine  in  need; 
A'silent  tongue  is  ne'er  an  en'my, 

*Tis  wiser  much  indeed. 


For  envy  is  the  World's  true  malice, 
Writh  hate,  goes  hand  in  hand, 

E'en  noble  hearts  and  minds  grow  callous, 
And  greed  hard  to  withstand. 


Ah,  Time  will  tell  to  all  the  doubting, 

If  my  maxim  be  not  true; 
Experience  is  a  guiding  master, 

His  followers  ne'er  rue. 


MEMORIES 

WHEN  evening  shadows  come, 
And  cast  fantastic  forms 
O'er   wooded    hill   and    dale 

And    silv'ry   lake    forlorn:  - 
Where    gentle    zephyrs    sigh 

And  to  night  winds  give  way:- 
Their   murm'ring    echoes    tell 

The    death   of    closing    day:- 
When    peace    and    quiet    reign 

At    mid -night's    lonely    hour:- 
Oh,    when    the  soul    does    claim 

New  strength  from  higher    Power: 
When    all    fond    hope    has    fled 

And    love    within    is    dead:- 
Will     you     remember     me, 

In     lonely     days     to     be, 
Dream    o'er    the    happy    past, 

Regret     it     could     not     last. 


i 


THE  PARTING 

will  forgive:  - 
You  must  forget:- 

Our  lives  must  be, 
As  we'd  ne'er  met' 

The  World  so  wide, 

We'll    drift    apart; 

Then  mem'rys  heart 
Will    fade    away 

Like    mist,    before 

The  new-born  day. 

The  wounds,  tho'  deep, 
Will    heal    in    time:- 

You    will    forget 

That    I    was    thine 

I    will    forgive:- 
Fate   so   unkind. 


A  PLEA  TO  CUPID 


,  with  thy  bow  and  arrow, 

Thou  pierced  my  heart  with  Love's  true  sorrow, 
And    spoiled    my    tender    hopes    divine; 

Had'st  thou  ne'er  touched  this  heart  of  mine, 
Not    lured    it    on    with    thy    sweet    lure, 
But    left    me    still    as    cold    and    pure, 
As    snow    on    yonder    mountain    crest, 
No  anguish  would  now  pain  my  breast. 

Cupid,  with    thy    bow    and    arrow, 

Oh!  pierce  with  Love's  own  pining  sorrow 
Deep    down    into  that  other    heart,' 

And    let    it    know    the    cruel    smart 
I've  felt,  and  make  it  feel  quite  true, 

The    truth    of    Life's    despairing    hue, 
The    pangs    of    unrequited    love, 

Hopeless  to  reach  as  stars  above. 


LONGING 

Lovingly  To  My  Friend 

BARBARA    PENDLETON 

Red  Bluff,  Cal. 

In  all  this  vast  world, 
F^\OES  there  not  live  one  single  heart, 
*-^     In  unison  with  mine  could  beat, 
With    no    desire    to    ever    part? 

One  that  would  breathe  pure  love  divine, 
Exalting    ever    soul    and    mind 

To  truest  and  most  noble  thoughts, 
To  speak  and  dream  of  heavenly  ways, 

And  sacrifice  each,  day  by  day 
One's  self,  for  pleasures  of  the  other, 

And  share  the  sorrow,  grief  and  pain, 
Forgetting  earth  and  all  things  vain. 

This  love  so  true,  this  constant  claim, 
Would  make  us  one  and  never  twain. 


RESIGNATION 

TO  MRS.  COMAN 

So  long  I've  slept 

F)  L'T  the  soul's  awak'ning  true  hath  come  at  last, 
*-**  And  into  my  burdened  heart  there  silently  crept 
Complete  forgiveness  of  the  painful  past. 

Sweet  resignation  calms  my  weary  mind, 
And  all  the  clouds  that  blighted  many  days 

Are  rent  asunder,  drifting  far  away. 
On  pinions  light  my  restless  spirit  soars 

Beyond  the  distant  sky,  and  find  its  home 
In  Heav'ns  pure  dome,  where  joy  and  peace  abide. 


LOVE  REVEALED 

OVER    the    sloping    hills    we    rode, 
You    and    I    together. 
Through  grassy  fields  on  spirited  steeds, 

You    and    I    together. 
We  saw  the  beautiful  wild  flowers  bright, 

Nodding  their  heads  in  warm  sunlight, 
You  and  I  together. 

We  followed  the  meadow  lark, 
That  soared  so  high,  into  white  clouds 

Of  the  bright  blue  sky; 
And  we  looked  at  each  other  with  a  tell-tale  eye, 

You  and  I  together. 
Into  the  thicket  we  did   ride, 

Pacing  our  horses  side  by  side, 
You  and  I  together. 

We  heard  the  distant  thunder  roar, 
And  saw  the  wind  sweep  ail  before, 

You  and   I  together. 
On  and  onward    our  steeds  we  sped, 

Through  brushwood  and  grove  we  madly  Pied 
And  hoped  escape,  from  the  storm  o'er-head 

You  and   1  together. 


10 


Torrents  of  rain  from  the  heav'ns  did  pour, 

And  Hashes  of  lightning  sent  o'er  and  o'er 
A  thrill  to  our  hearts,  deep  to  the  core, 

You  and  I  together. 
Galloping  on  with  our  prancing  steeds 

Under  close  shelter  of  thickest  trees 
You  and   I  together. 

When  we  at  last  halted  'fore  a  wild  rocky  cave 
As  cold  and  silent  as  a  grave 

We  entered,  protected  from  the  storm's  rage 
You  and   I  together. 

We  waited  and  watched,  till  the  storm  had  passed 
You  and  I  together. 

And  naught  was  heard,  save  the  sobbing  wind 
In  the  trees  without,  and  the  troth  within 

Of  two  beating  hearts,  who  vowed  to  impart 
Their  true  plight  forever, 

Ah!  you  and   1  together. 


SWEET  EVENTIDE 

Lovingly  To  My  Sister 

SISTER  MARY  BERCHMANS 

Academy  of  Our  Lady  of  Mercy 

Red  Bluff,  Gal. 

O  WEET  eventide,  so  full  of  calm  repose, 
M   With  flitting  shadows  of  the  coming  night, 
No  fairer  scene  could  one  e'er  thus  behold, 

Than  thy  grand  beauty  steep'd  in  pale  sunlight. 

While  clouds  of  gold  and  silver  fleck  the  sky, 
And  cast  their  shining  hues  upon  the  stream, 

The  twittering  swallows  dart  then  quickly  by, 
And  early  evening  stars  come  forth  and  gleam. 

A  soft  caressing  breeze  of  balmy  air, 

Is  filled  with  sweetest  fragrance  of  the  flowers, 

So  lulls  the  senses  to  forget  all  care, 
And  beckons  one  to  dreams  of  fairy  bowers. 

The  vesper  bells  from  yonder  convent,  chime 
The  peaceful  soothing  hour  of  prayer  and  sleep, 

And  peal  forth  to  the  world  the  passing  time, 
Proclaim  that  Heav'n  o'er  all  will  vigil  keep. 


12 


Thus  twilight  passes,  giving  night  its  birth, 
And  tenderly  a  mantle  doth  enfold 

So  tranquilly,  around  the  dreaming  earth, 

And  sets  the  night-watch  forth,  in  stars  of  gold. 


13 


RELEASE 

Respectfully  Dedicated  To  My  Father 

MY  work  on  earth  at  last  is  done, 
The  sunset  of  my  life  begun; 
And  I  upon  a  lonely  way 

Wend  feeble  steps  at  close  of  day. 
The  dying  sun  in  tender  light 

Kisses  the  earth  a  soft  good-night; 
Darkness  of  night  comes  on  apace, 

Millions  of  stars  in  boundless  space 
Come  gleaming  with  the  rising  moon, 

Whose  silv'ry  lustrous  shining  ray 
Makes  night  more  beautiful  than  day. 

And  over  hill  and  over  dale 

Resounding  echoes  from  the  vale 
Carry  the  moans  of  human  wail; 

And  near  a  hidden  quiet  nook, 
I  lay  me  down  with  one  last  look. 

As  in  a  dream  I  cross  a  shore, 
Me  thinks  I've  dwelt  there  long  afore, 

And  see  the  portals  all  ajar, 


While  music  greets  me  from  afar, 
Sweet  spirits  beckon  on  and  on 

The  restless  wand'rer  they  have  won. 
My  chastened  soul  unbound,  set  free, 

Floats  forth  of  all  captivity, 
Oblivious  of  the  weary  past, 

Redeemed,  and  safe  at  home  at  last. 


15 


THE  EGOTIST 

Dedicated  to  the  Man  Whom  the  Cap  Pits 


r*HE  Egotist  is  such  a  man 
•••       Who  deems  himself  the  great  "  I  am," 
The  world  to  sin  and  vice  is  prone 
While  he,  consummate,  stands  alone. 

He  sees  in  others  every  fault- 

Commenting  he  could  ne'er  be  brought 
To  err  in  any  human  way, 

For  he's  above  the  common  clay. 

But  you  should  watch  his  little  game- 

You'll  find  it's  not  so  very  tame. 
His  constant  pose  of  a  grand  good  man 

Is  just  a  he,  an  artful  sham. 

He  lives  along  in  sly  disguise, 

A  martyred  man  whose  connubial  ties 

Are  irksome  to  a  high  degree, 

And  with  slander,  against  his  mate  goes  free. 


16 


He  speaks  about  his  virtues  rare 
Boasts  he  is  ne'er  seen  anywhere 

With  maiden  pure,  nor  virtuous  wife, 
It  might  destroy  his  prestige  in  life. 

Yet  he  enters  the  home  of  a  trusting  friend, 

Betrays  all  faith,  to  gain  his  end, 
Thinks  nought  of  wrecking  lives  of  both:- 

To  destruction  (of  others)  he's  nothing  loath. 

Of  charities  then  you'll  later  hear, 

Which  he  endows  with  thousands  mere. 

With  this  he  seeks  to  ease  his  mind 
For  many  acts  of  the  basest  kind. 

The  world  looks  on,  the  world  looks  wise, 
To  the  light  of  truth  it  shuts  its  eyes; 

But  a  day  will  come, Oh,  the  world's  surprise, 
The  wolf  will  be  shorn  of  his  sheep's  disguise. 


17 


A  GEM 

Respectfully   Dedicated  To 

MR.  FRANK  T.  HUNTOON 
Of  New  York  City 

WITHIN    my    jewel    casket, 
I    have    a    gem    most    rare, 
It    does    outshine    all    others, 
And    has    my    constant    care. 

And    when    I'm    sad    and    weary, 
With   Life   and  Life's  stern   part, 

And  all  the   World   seems  dreary, 
I   place  it  next  my  heart. 

Its  clearness  seems  to  cheer  me, 
And   give  me  strength  each   day, 

To  guide  my  faltering   footsteps 
O'er  Life's  hard   stormy  way. 

It  brings  thy  voice  quite   near  me, 
In  whispers,   sweet  and    low, 

Be  brave,  be  bright,  be  cheerful, 
As  down  Life's  path  you  go. 

It  is    our    truest    friendship, 

This    jewel    very    rare, 
That    does    outshine    all    others; 

God    bless    me    with    its    care. 


18 


PANS1ES 

To  My  Son 

FRANK  W.  STECHHAN 

COME  future  day  when  I  am  dead, 
^  And  you  will  know  I  am  no  more, 
Alone  and  silently  you'll  tread 

The  winding  pain,  to  the  old  church  door. 
Trie  past  will  meet  you  as  a  dream, 

A  tide  of  awakening  mem'ries  seem 
As    though    to    overwhelm    you. 

Forgotcen  love  you  thought  at  rest 
Will  hold  full  sway  wilhin  your  breast; 

Then  tears  will  flow  and  dim  your  eyes 
From  trembling  lips  a  prayer  will  rise 

For  me,  asleep,  in  the  church-yard   nigh, 
My  name  you'll  whisper  o'er  and  o'er 

While  strewing  parties  o'er  my  mound. 
But  tho'  mine  ear  be  deaf  to  sound 

My  Spirit  bending  o'er  thee  will  forgive, 
And  be  thy  guardian  angel  while  you  live. 


19 


A  POEM 

To  MRS.  FRANK1E  R1CHET  WALKER 

Portland,  Ore. 

1  watched  the  birth  of  each  fair  dawn, 
The  rising  sun,  in  glorious  light, 
Grow  into  rosy  mom. 

(A  wond'rous,  beauteous  sight) 
All  through  the  valley, 

And  o'er  the  mountain  heights 
Dewy  mists  kept  nsing 

Veiling  with  vapors  grey, 
The  mighty  trees,  and  approach  of  coming  day. 

But  as  the  ascending  sun  grew  stronger, 
Its  piercing  rays  cleared 

Mists  and  clouds  alike  away. 
And  as  some  fairy  magic  wonder 

Earth's  loveliness  revealed, 
Superb,  by  perfect  day. 

Now  from  the  woodland  hills  nearby 
Commingling  voices  of  the  birds, 

With  the  cuckoo's  cry 
Rend  the  air  with  untold  melodies. 

Thus  all  drowsy  earth  awakes 
And  lives  and  breathes 

In  silent  woods,  among  the  trees, 

20 


In  mossy  dells,  and  streaming  brooks, 
Along  the  hills,  in  quiet  nooks, 

And  like  one  long,  enchanting  dream, 
So  doth  appear  fair  nature's  scene. 

I  watched  the  coining  twilight  hour 

Forc-hadowing  the  night. 
The  wonders  of  a  Supreme  Power, 

In  countless  stars  that  shown  so  bright, 
The  climbing  moon,  behind  the  hill 

Shed  silv'ry  beams  o'er  rock  and  rill. 
And  evening,  now  quite  calm  and  still 

Calls  forth  the  nightingale's  sweet  trill. 
I  listen  to  tiie  passionate  song 

Of  love's  young  dream,  life's  cruel  wrong. 
Of  faith  betrayed,  love  buried,  dead, 

All  cherished  hopes  forever  fied. 
A^as!    that  song  of  love  and  woe, 

Bungs  back  dear  days  of  long  ago. 
Then  sighing  oft',  my  eyes  grow  wet, 

And  dreaming,  I  would  fain 
In  endless  sltep,  the  World  forget. 


21 


BURIED  LOVE 

To  a  Departed  Fri;:nd 

Only  Acrott  the  River 


O  HE  buried  her  love  as  in  a  dream, 
^  Where  lonely  nature  reigns  supreme, 
Where  daisies  nod  and  grasses  grow, 
And  sighing  branches  whisper  low; 

She  buried  her  love  here  years  ago. 

Ah,  Time  has  come,  and  time  has  flown. 

Together  the  bleeding  wound  has  grown; 
Yet  mem'ries  live,  the  scar  is  left 
And  telis  forever  the  love  bereft, 

The  love  she  buried  years  ago. 


22 


TO  A  FLOWER 

Dedicated  To 

HARRISON  FISHER 

Of  New  York  City 

P\EAR  little  flower,  so  pure  and  white, 

Blooming  alone,  on  this  green  site, 
Tender,  sweet,  and  very  fair. 

How  I  should  love  to  pluck  and  wear 
Thee  to-night,  in  my  nut  brown  hair! 

Twould  only  be  but  an  hour  or  so:- 
1  hus  I'll  pass  on,  and  leave  thee  to  grow. 

Leave  thee  to  bloom  in  the  v.  arm  sunlight 
And  close  your  eyes  in  the  shades  of  night 

And  breathe  your  breath  of  fragrance  rare. 
Yet,  how  I'd  love  to  pluck  and  wear 

Thee  to-night,  in  my  nut-brown  hair! 
Alas!  'twould  be  but  an  hour  or  so:- 

Thus  I'll  pass  on,  and  leave  thee  to  grow. 


23 


DESPAIR 

1    stood    upon    the    brink 
Of    silent,    mute    Despair; 
No    Future    could    I    see, 

But    one    of   mystery 
And  /lever    ceasing    care. 

The  Past's  sweet  tender  thoughts 
Then    flitted    like    a    dream 

Before    my    aching    eyes. 
This    rush    of   memories 

So    made    my    bosom    heave 
With    untold,    stiffied    sighs, 

Regrets,    that    Life    forsooth 
Is    constant    hope    impaired, 

With    e'er   a    cross   to    bear. 


A  PRAYER 

To  my  Friend 

EUGENIE  RICHET 

Portland,  Ore. 

IN  silent  prayer  on  bended  knee, 
*   I  lift  my  soul,  Oh,  God,  to  Thee; 

Thou  see'st  my  heart;  know'st  my  despair. 

To  thee  I  do  confide  all  care; 
On  bended  knee,  Oh,  God,  I  pray 

To  rightly  guide  me  on  my  way. 


In  silent  prayer,  on  bended  knee, 

I   bow,  Oh,  God,  most  high,  to  Thee; 

Oh,  cleanse  my  soul,  make  pure  my  heart, 
And  give  me  strength  to  bear  Life's  part; 

In  woe  or  weal,  on  bended  knee, 
Oh,  let  me  never  doubt  in  Thee. 


25 


DESPONDENCY 

To  ALEX. 

X/'OU  came  when  hope  was  sinking  fast, 

•*•     And  bade  me  listen  and  be  strong, 
You  told  the  story  of  your  wrong; 

With  sorrow  in  my  tender  heart, 
And  all  the  love  I  could  impart, 

In  sacred  trust  I  gave  to  you. 
Thus  in  your  arms  my  life  was  cast, 

Content  that  all  our  days  should  pass 
Within  the  haven  of  sweet  love. 

But  as  the  fleeting  years  rolled  by, 
Me-thought  a  shadow  in  your  eye 

Disclosed  a  sadness,  a  regret. 
Its  meaning  you  would  ne'er  unfold, 

Altho'  my  soul  grew  dark  with  fear, 
My  heart  was  wrung  with  woe  untold, 

But  I  did  love  and  trust  in  you. 
Ah  me, ---I  love  you  dearly  still, 

And  when  I  see  those  sad,  sweet  eyes, 
With  unshed  tears  from  grief  so  fill, 


26 


My  very  being  aches  with  pain. 
My  accusations  had  been  vain. 

With  open  arms  again  I  plead 
For  memory  of  a!l  the  past, 

For  did  you  not  then  come  to  me 
When  my  last  hope  was  sinking  fast. 


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WARNING 

OOME  day  your  day  will  come:- 
^  My  day  has  long  gone  by:- 
And  now  in  looking  back, 

I  tremble  and  I  sigh, 
Remembering  well  nigh, 

How  you  left  me  alone, 
With  crushed  and  bleeding  heart, 

So  desolate  to  die:- 
Left  me  despairing  love, 

Which  racked  my  very  soul, 
Eyes  dimmed  with  tearc  of  blood, 

That  down  my  blanched  cheeks  flowed. 
Oh,  those  remorseful  sighs 

Pierced  my  poor  heart  with  cries:  - 
Some  day  your  day  will  come, 

Mine  has  gone  by.      A^am, 
I  tremble  arid  I  sip;h, 

Remembering  Death's  cold  clasp, 
Which  threatened,  yet  passed  by, 

Sad  pangs  rny  soul  did  know, 
Anguish,  and  Oh,  such  woc:- 

Some  day  your  day  will  come, 
My  day  has  long  gone  by. 


23 


DREAMING 

To  My  Young  Girl    Friend* 

,  dream,  loved  ones,  dream  on, 
And  may  you  happy  be, 
Thus  borne  on  wings  of  love, 

Caressed  so  tenderly, 
O'er  pathways  strewn  with  flowers 

To  Love's  own  world  of  bliss, 
Where  heart  and  heart  doth  share 

The  raptures  of  a  kiss. 
There  arms  are  ever  open, 

And  smiles  are  ever  thine, 
Pure  gladness  and  devotion 

Make  life  a  joy  sublime. 
So  dreaming,  thus  dream  on, 

And  may  you  happy  be, 
For  when  awakening  comes, 

All  dreams  forever  flee. 


29 


INCONSTANT  MAN 

(From  Keen  Observation) 

T    ET  the  man  be  who  he  may 
*— '  I'm  seeking  character  he'll  say 
And  in  his  toil  of  work  and  strife 

And  in  the  ups  and  downs  of  life 
He  will  succumb  in  many  a  way, 

Yet  change  his  mind  ere  break  of  day, 
To  beauty,  passing  quite  serene, 

He'll  fondly  bend  there  to  be  seen 
In  any  form  of  love  divine 

To  worship  at  the  earthly  shrine. 
And  when  he's  had  his  very  best 

He  yet  contented  will  not  rest 
For  having  gained  her,  not  in  vain 

He'll  grow  indifferent  just  the  same. 
Then  non-comprehension  inflicts  psin 

Upon  them  both,  and  so  makes  tame 
All  the  man  starts  out  to  gain. 


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A  THOUGHT 

WERE  I  to  kill  the  flesh 
To  set  my  spirit  free, 
Think'st  thou,  that  ne'er  in  Heaven 
A  place  for  me  would  be  ? 

Would  God  be  so  unkind 
Ne'er  to  forgive  the  deed, 

If  I  my  tortured  soul 

From  earthly  clay  had  freed  ? 


A  REQUEST 

WHEN  I  am  dead  and  gone, 
Let  there  be  no  song, 
No  flowers,  pure  and  white, 

Or  Vigils  kept  at  night, 
When  I  am  dead  and  gone. 

Weep  not,  at  my  lone  bier, 
E'en  you,  who  hold  me  dear, 

Deem  me  at  last  blest 
To  find  the  sleep  of  rest, 

When  I  am  dead  and  gone. 

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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


